Monday, May 18, 2009

Review - It's About Time by Andee S. Davis

A summer in England was meant to help Meg Sutherland grieve her father’s early passing. The last thing she expects is to be thrown back in time to an era where her everyday knowledge of health and medicine may save two lives threatened by old-fashioned ignorance. How can she convince handsome Mr. Ellingsworth that her meddling will save his children’s lives when her twenty-first century confidence only increases his resistance? Aided by three spinsters and a cat, Meg weighs her choices between a lonely, independent life of modern freedoms and the possibility for love.

This is a very lovely time travel romance! Meg has taken a trip from California to England and then that trip takes her farther! Meg is a straight forward bold modern day American girl who has to think quickly to try to fit into a society almost a hundred and fifty years in the past! Charles Ellingsworth is a very practical and responsible gentleman struggling to care for his two nieces and nephews. In typical fashion of the day, he doesn’t outwardly express his feelings for the children or those around him. He is willing to allow the revered elderly family doctor to continue treatment that doesn’t seem to be helping. Although Charles and the children clearly care for each other, neither the children, nor the respected servants, are willing to express their concerns to Charles. Fortunately, Meg is willing to listen to the children and hears their shared loss, pain, and fear of losing each other to more illnesses. Now if only Charles will listen to the outspoken Meg!

The story gives a good, if quick, glimpse into the abuse of laudanum and other old fashioned medical treatments. It surprised me that Meg didn’t seem too shocked or surprised when she suddenly found herself in a corset and silk gown and pretty obviously in a different time period. I think that was because this was such a short story. I would love to read longer books by Ms. Davis as I truly enjoyed the easy flow of this one. (And I didn’t find a single typo which is really rare!) If you love a quick, easy, sweet read…this book is for you.